Database Develop

Help combining framework apks

What I am trying to do (on DC v1.1b5) is combine 3 (or more) signed zips (espresso, clear notification bar, and a taskbar) into an unzipped rom so I can sign it later and flash the whole rom with my changes. (NO I'M NOT GOING TO POST IT AND SAY ITS MY ROM lol)
All of these modifications each change framework-res.apk and com.htc.resources.apk in their own way.
Would I have to figure out every single change to each individual apk and merge them into one file? Or is there another way?
I am not only doing this for my phone, but I am doing this to learn.
Any help would be appreciated

Yes, since there's really no way to tell which files were edited in each theme, you have to go through and find it.
Honestly, the easiest way to do this that I've found is to unzip the archive and scroll through the folders with thumbnails enabled so you can quickly see what they all look like.
I know that the statusbar .pngs are in framework-res.apk/res/drawable-mdpi and they all start with statusbar_* or status_bar*.
The .pngs for the Rosie are found in com.htc.resources.apk/res/drawable-port-mdpi/
EDIT: I would also recommend creating a MetaMorph theme when you get all the files you need. (I'm not sure if it works on 2.1/Sense ROMs, I'm about to use it and find out though) that way you can apply the themes while your phone is on, you can easily transfer it between ROMs, and you only need to use the files that you've changed, instead of the entire .apk. For instructions on creating a MetaMorph theme: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=591329

on windows 7 you can make one folder called NEWframeworkapk paste all the original file to it, then copy and paste all the files from the others. it will say "do you wish to move and replace "jpg" say yes for all and then you have the changed files.
haha thats what i do? prolly some super easy way though.

Gregalous said:
Yes, since there's really no way to tell which files were edited in each theme, you have to go through and find it.
Honestly, the easiest way to do this that I've found is to unzip the archive and scroll through the folders with thumbnails enabled so you can quickly see what they all look like.
I know that the statusbar .pngs are in framework-res.apk/res/drawable-mdpi and they all start with statusbar_* or status_bar*.
The .pngs for the Rosie are found in com.htc.resources.apk/res/drawable-port-mdpi/
EDIT: I would also recommend creating a MetaMorph theme when you get all the files you need. (I'm not sure if it works on 2.1/Sense ROMs, I'm about to use it and find out though) that way you can apply the themes while your phone is on, you can easily transfer it between ROMs, and you only need to use the files that you've changed, instead of the entire .apk. For instructions on creating a MetaMorph theme: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=591329
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Avalaunchmods said:
on windows 7 you can make one folder called NEWframeworkapk paste all the original file to it, then copy and paste all the files from the others. it will say "do you wish to move and replace "jpg" say yes for all and then you have the changed files.
haha thats what i do? prolly some super easy way though.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
thank you both for the input.
now to go find EVERY change they all make lol
if anyone has an easier way, PLEASE don't hesitate to post lol

regaw_leinad said:
thank you both for the input.
now to go find EVERY change they all make lol
if anyone has an easier way, PLEASE don't hesitate to post lol
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Gregalous said:
I know that the statusbar .pngs are in framework-res.apk/res/drawable-mdpi and they all start with statusbar_* or status_bar*.
The .pngs for the Rosie are found in com.htc.resources.apk/res/drawable-port-mdpi/
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Here's a headstart

Gregalous said:
Here's a headstart
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks

I actually prefer MetaMorph over doing a zip file because all you need are the files that have been changed. However, in 2.1 a lot of files are scattered around or in different places and once the Sprint update comes through who knows where everything will be. Once I finally figured out how to set up the folders the rest I have done became easy...and no need to turn off your phone.
Edit: You can also combine more than one folder at a time
HTC HERO
DamageControl V1

&RoidRage said:
I actually prefer MetaMorph over doing a zip file because all you need are the files that have been changed. However, in 2.1 a lot of files are scattered around or in different places and once the Sprint update comes through who knows where everything will be. Once I finally figured out how to set up the folders the rest I have done became easy...and no need to turn off your phone.
Edit: You can also combine more than one folder at a time
HTC HERO
DamageControl V1
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah, MetaMorph is pretty cool.
but my problem was actually FINDING the changes in already made zips lol
but I think I got it, well most of the changes (hopefully all)

apks, zips, and hdpi - mdpi questions

Ok, just a few questions quick hdpi images for say a theme for bigger phone like the evo can they be tossed into a drawable-mdpi and be fine? Or do you have to go through them and resize them? My second question is regarding signing, I've got the htc kitchen running which seems to do fine so I'm using the AutoSign to sign my res folder which i zip'ed as framework-res.zip then signed using the AutoSign tool and renamed to framework-res.apk which I think is correct, but then I throw that into a presigned zip for a theme that I pulled apart using the htc kitchen and rebuild it and sign it and it should be good to go. It gave me some nonsense about an updater script and it can only make an update script. But when I tried flashing the rom it failed.
Basically I think I'm missing some parts of the puzzle if anyone who knows more about this than me could give me a pointer or two I'd be eternally grateful. Thanks.

I'm not sure if you have to resize the png images. I always do, however it takes a while so you may want to try doing it with the hdpi images. As far as signing goes some extract the apk and then edit the png's and then with 7zip use the open archive option and drop the png's into the zip. And then resign.
Here is what i do..
I extract the apk
Go in and make changes
Go back to the main folder where it has the META-INF, res, AndroidManifest, etc and select all of those and zip them. It should then name it (whatever_app_your changing).zip
I use the Auto-sign from Avabox and sign it. This should also change the extension to apk
When editiing an apk you want to make sure you keep everything as it is when rezipping and signing. Do not delete any folders.
To make a flashable zip you need an update script. If you pull apart a theme and look in it there should these folders META-INF\com\google\android. The update script is located in android. It tells it where to install everything and to show a progress bar. If you look in a theme you can easily see the strcuture and what needs to be zipped.

Thanks. Thats the missing step I think, I'm about to crash as I work nights and probably shouldn't be up yet lol, but when I get up I'm gonna test some more things out but I think thats what I needed to know. I've been trying to rezip everything so it fits back together when i should be pulling them out of the zip changing them and then putting them back in. I'll try it tomorrow lol when my brain works again. Thanks for the reply though.

ok first of all download 7zip
do not unzip the whole app
open the app with 7zip. take out the res file
edit the png files that you want
edit the .9 files that you want
use draw9patch that comes inside of android sdk folder
in draw9patch u put one dot on top one dot on left and full lines on bottom and right. thats the easy way. u can watch the right window to figure out what the results will be. play with it and you will get the hang of it.
download eclipse and set up eclipse and android sdk to work with android. there a number of instructions on how to do this. google in or search in xda
use eclipse to recompile the .9 files
if u r finding files in the hdmi files and want to use them u have to make sure they are the right size for our phones.
best guess is that if its from a different phone they are the wrong size. compare the size of the file to the mdmi folder and resize where needed.
when done editing the res file drag and drop it back into the app that is open in 7zip.
it can then be pushed via adb in the command promt by putting the apk in the tools folder of sdk and typing
make sure your in the directory of ur sdk/tools folder
adb remount
adb push (app name).apk system/app
(app name)=app for example facebook.apk
if u want to make it into a flashable update than you can put into a zipped file that im sure uve downloaded from here before. make sure its the only app in the folder and use avabox as described above.

Awesome thanks papasmurf, I think I figured out the big issue was having before and thats that I have to use 7zip to pull, edit, and replace files I want to change. the .9 stuff I haven't messed with yet but I've always known they are a bit of a pain in the ass. Gotta learn sooner or later lol. Thanks for the responses guys I'm gonna mess with this stuff and see where I get.
What are the rules on signing? Now if I'm in a framework-res.apk and pull and push some files do I need to sign it again?

PlagaDeRock said:
Awesome thanks papasmurf, I think I figured out the big issue was having before and thats that I have to use 7zip to pull, edit, and replace files I want to change. the .9 stuff I haven't messed with yet but I've always known they are a bit of a pain in the ass. Gotta learn sooner or later lol. Thanks for the responses guys I'm gonna mess with this stuff and see where I get.
What are the rules on signing? Now if I'm in a framework-res.apk and pull and push some files do I need to sign it again?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
While when building a rom it is sometimes but very rare to sign an app...when editing pngs and such there is no need to resign the app. ..also if u do have to resign an app u can't resign the Google ****s. They don't like work if u resign them cause the only way we have to resign with r with test keys. By resigning apps ur r messings with the manifest and there is about a 99.9% chance there is no need for it.
Its different if ur trying to flash an app via recovery. Then it has to be put into a zip file and signed. My suggestion is to find a basic mod that someone else already made a signed zip of and put ur app in it and take out the other mod. Just make sure u put it in the right folders. For example
Most apps go in /system/app
Framework and com.resources go in /system/framework
Uncanny make those folders and drop the app in there then drag to the zip or if those folders exist in the zip just drag the app in.
As long as its a mod zip the update script is prob just very basic and u don't have to mess with it. Just use avabox (search for it on xda) and drag the zip into to autosign folder inside of avabox. Rename it update and click k on the sign icon. After its done signing u delete the update file and can rename the update-signed file to what ever u like. Just remember if renaming that if u r using more than one word the u must add a _ between words rather than a space. For example
Gmail_signed.zip
Hope that helps a little
Sent from my HERO200 using XDA App

Awesome. Just made my first flashable zip that worked. I'm almost finished porting over the sculpted theme from the evo section. Thanks for the help guys, its making way more sense now.

PlagaDeRock said:
Awesome. Just made my first flashable zip that worked. I'm almost finished porting over the sculpted theme from the evo section. Thanks for the help guys, its making way more sense now.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Anytime man. Just remember if ur changing even the size of a .9 file it has to be fixed as explained above. Only saying cause ur porting a theme from the evo and I'm sure there r .9 files in there
Sent from my HERO200 using XDA App

Papa Smurf151 said:
Anytime man. Just remember if ur changing even the size of a .9 file it has to be fixed as explained above. Only saying cause ur porting a theme from the evo and I'm sure there r .9 files in there
Sent from my HERO200 using XDA App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Eclipse is intense. I think I downloaded the right one. I'm dead tired though so I'm gonna pick it up again tomorrow. I got enough of it together that it functions so I'm happy for now, but definitely going to have to work on the .9 files tomorrow lol.

PlagaDeRock said:
Eclipse is intense. I think I downloaded the right one. I'm dead tired though so I'm gonna pick it up again tomorrow. I got enough of it together that it functions so I'm happy for now, but definitely going to have to work on the .9 files tomorrow lol.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah eclipse is def overkill at times but when u get it set up its easy to just compile .9 files.
Sent from my HERO200 using XDA App

[Q] Extended Power Menu

Hi All,
Can anyone advise whether the following should work with Doc's JS8 and CWM recovery?
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?p=8674580#post8674580
Rather than follow all the instructions, I just used the powermenu_final.zip at the end of the post and tried to flash the zip but it just sits there when flashing.
I'm not sure if it's me or the zip. If I knew it would work, I have no problems if I'll have to do it manually, but if the zip file provided in the post doesn't work it doesn't instill a lot of confidence.
Essentially, I want to learn how to do it so I can create my own update.zip containing other things as well.
Ultimately, I'd like to use the UOT Kitchen to get myself a battery mod, then add the changes to make an extended menu, and then finally add a few wallpapers, apk's etc. Then package it all up as an update.zip and flash it all.
If anyone can recommend a good guide, or advise whether the above post *should* work on my Galaxy S it would be appreciated.
Thanks

gleff1 said:
Hi All,
Can anyone advise whether the following should work with Doc's JS8 and CWM recovery?
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?p=8674580#post8674580
Rather than follow all the instructions, I just used the powermenu_final.zip at the end of the post and tried to flash the zip but it just sits there when flashing.
I'm not sure if it's me or the zip. If I knew it would work, I have no problems if I'll have to do it manually, but if the zip file provided in the post doesn't work it doesn't instill a lot of confidence.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, if you follow the instructions this guide still works.
But for JS8 you have to change the ressource ids to some unused values.
The update file you tried doesn't work because JS8 uses other resource ids than the one the update was built for. I'm sure you'll understand this after decompiling the files.

gleff1, I have successfully made ​​the menu for JS* for this statement, but with minor amendments.
To create update.zip use it.
Try my update.zip, should work on all JS*:

MCOGW said:
Yes, if you follow the instructions this guide still works.
But for JS8 you have to change the ressource ids to some unused values.
The update file you tried doesn't work because JS8 uses other resource ids than the one the update was built for. I'm sure you'll understand this after decompiling the files.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ok thanks.. I don't understand where to get the resource id's yet but i'll play around tomorrow night after work and decompile the files and see if it makes more sense then.
Incidently, do I just grab the files that need decompiling from the phone, or some other theme? Eg. Are they all in the system folder on the phone itself?

Lar3s said:
gleff1, I have successfully made ​​the menu for JS* for this statement, but with minor amendments.
To create update.zip use it.
Try my update.zip, should work on all JS*:
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Awesome... thanks for that.. i'll have a look.
Edit: That worked great.. So that I can learn how to do it myself i'll decompile your working one and compare it to the guide. This should be a fun weekend learning this stuff.
Thanks heaps guys. Makes a lot of sense now. I'll have a play later on.

gleff1, use for jar apktool. To avoid typing commands manually, you can use ready-made set of scripts (author sk0t from 4pda.ru; inside the archive is a readme, though in Russian):

[Q] Kitchen - problem flashing

i have tried to modify the froyobylaszlo by removing a couple of system/app
and put my own apps
after that i tried to flash it but i had some errors im not familiar with
hope someone could help me out
im attaching the recovery.log files
EDIT: btw im a complete idiot hahaha... im just starting out

marchking said:
i have tried to modify the froyobylaszlo by removing a couple of system/app
and put my own apps
after that i tried to flash it but i had some errors im not familiar with
hope someone could help me out
im attaching the recovery.log files
EDIT: btw im a complete idiot hahaha... im just starting out
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
which apps did u place in system apps?
did u remove the apps fromm data/app as well?

maximo360 said:
which apps did u place in system apps?
did u remove the apps fromm data/app as well?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
yeah i think only 1 app is there in data/app = gallery i think i removed that thinking that it was the gallery3d
i changed the launcher and a couple of things in the system/app
are there limitations of which apps that i could put there...
btw is it ok if i change the updater-script to update-script?
or i shouldnt have change that... the kitchen was requesting to change it

hey if you are only removing some apk's you dont need kitchen.. just unzip file.. take out what you want than re-zip and than Sign it! should be able to flash no problem

marchking said:
yeah i think only 1 app is there in data/app = gallery i think i removed that thinking that it was the gallery3d
i changed the launcher and a couple of things in the system/app
are there limitations of which apps that i could put there...
btw is it ok if i change the updater-script to update-script?
or i shouldnt have change that... the kitchen was requesting to change it
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You should just do what LDrifta said if your still having problems.
OH and regarding the update-script, heres your answer straight from the op of the kitchen:
QUESTION: Why do I need to convert the ROM's updater-script to an update-script when using the kitchen?
The kitchen can only perform operations on an update-script. UpdateR-scripts are too complicated to check because there are so many combinations of parameters for every command and for different devices; plus they can be written in different formatting styles. Thus the kitchen converts them to update-script so that there is one universal method to modify any device's configuration. If we didn't convert the updater-script then it would take months of work to overhaul the dozens of scripts (plus doubling my work) to accept updater-scripts, which would really NOT make a difference in the end anyway and would likely slow down the kitchen due to extra checks made in the updater-script. So please do not request this again and again, there is no gain in doing it (I also don't have that much free time ...).
When you build the ROM you have the option of converting it back to an updater-script, or the kitchen will convert it automatically if it decides it's necessary. The conversion back to the original updater-script is near-perfect, as I have already spent months on the implementation to get it right.
QUESTION: I have converted my update-script to an updater-script, but after flashing I still have the original ROM on the device.
That means your updater-script did not have the proper mount points defined for the system (and/or data) partition. Refer to this post for more info.
QUESTION: My device only supports ROMs with the updater-script/update-binary files but not the update-script
If you extract a ROM that contains an updater-script, then the kitchen will ask you if it should convert it to an update-script. You *must* use an update-script while customizing the ROM, as the kitchen is not capable of modifying updater-scripts. When you are ready to build the ROM, though, you will need to convert it back to an updater-script if the device requires it. Use the option in the Advanced menu to convert update-script to updater-script, or else the kitchen will ask you to convert it while building the ROM.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse

ldrifta said:
hey if you are only removing some apk's you dont need kitchen.. just unzip file.. take out what you want than re-zip and than Sign it! should be able to flash no problem
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
ok... so im also adding a few apks at the system/app what you suggested will that still work?
btw
just to clarify, i unzip, then remove the apks
then zip it again
then i put it in the kitchen to get signed?

marchking said:
ok... so im also adding a few apks at the system/app what you suggested will that still work?
btw
just to clarify, i unzip, then remove the apks
then zip it again
then i put it in the kitchen to get signed?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
ok well depending on what apk's you are putting in.. if they are system required like a sense app.. it wont work on a froyo base rom.. but if its something like superuser or mail or something and is compatible with your rom than put it in system/app folder.. if its something that you want the choice to uninstall later on like a 'task killer' apk or something, place it in data/app folder..
and to sign it you dont need kitchen, you can download an auto-sign.zip file for windows here on xda.. all you do is unzip it directly to C: drive, place zip file in filder rename it to 'update.zip' than run the 'sign.bat' and it will sign the zip file. than you can flash it

marchking said:
ok... so im also adding a few apks at the system/app what you suggested will that still work?
btw
just to clarify, i unzip, then remove the apks
then zip it again
then i put it in the kitchen to get signed?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
did u do this on Kitchen?
If you want to add Market or non-stock apps (*.apk) to your ROM (which can be uninstalled or updated from your device later) then select the kitchen's menu option that adds "/data/app functionality". Afterwards you can copy these .apk files to the new /data/app folder of your working folder.
EDIT; After your done adding/deleting all the apps, dont forget to use the sign apk command to sign.

maximo360 said:
did u do this on Kitchen?
If you want to add Market or non-stock apps (*.apk) to your ROM (which can be uninstalled or updated from your device later) then select the kitchen's menu option that adds "/data/app functionality". Afterwards you can copy these .apk files to the new /data/app folder of your working folder.
EDIT; After your done adding/deleting all the apps, dont forget to use the sign apk command to sign.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
would apps from a 2.2 hero would work? they have a mdpi format???
or do you think i will encounter lots of problems? ^_^

marchking said:
would apps from a 2.2 hero would work? they have a mdpi format???
or do you think i will encounter lots of problems? ^_^
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Which kind of apps? Like sense apps? I guess they might work, try it out, make a nand backup first tho.
Sent from my COS-DS using XDA App

maximo360 said:
Which kind of apps? Like sense apps? I guess they might work, try it out, make a nand backup first tho.
Sent from my COS-DS using XDA App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
its actually system/app from miui ported to mdpi...
i was able to flash it but its going into a bootloop...
im not sure how to gather logcat... i dont use adb hahaha...
i only use droid explorer... anyways
i checked the logcat console while it was on the bootloop
it appears to me that the apps that i used is not signed...
any suggestions?

marchking said:
its actually system/app from miui ported to mdpi...
i was able to flash it but its going into a bootloop...
im not sure how to gather logcat... i dont use adb hahaha...
i only use droid explorer... anyways
i checked the logcat console while it was on the bootloop
it appears to me that the apps that i used is not signed...
any suggestions?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
sign them using the sign apk/zip command in the kitchen

maximo360 said:
sign them using the sign apk/zip command in the kitchen
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
i signed them that seemed to be one problem... based on what im seeing on the logcat it seems now its having lots of problems while installing... FYI im trying to make a miui ported from nexus 1 to hero... trying to make it run on froyo by laszlo... i think there is much more complications here not as easy as i think it would be... but i like challenges ^_^ do you have any idea how we could do this maximo? try checking this link http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=858935

marchking said:
i signed them that seemed to be one problem... based on what im seeing on the logcat it seems now its having lots of problems while installing... FYI im trying to make a miui ported from nexus 1 to hero... trying to make it run on froyo by laszlo... i think there is much more complications here not as easy as i think it would be... but i like challenges ^_^ do you have any idea how we could do this maximo? try checking this link http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=858935
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I read the thread, and he said he dropped some of the phones he was porting miui for, he was still doing the eris/hero. So seems to me he maybe dropped the g1, not sure tho. I guess you're gonna have to wait til either delsa is done porting it to the g1 or drakko.
Sent from my COS-DS using XDA App

[guide]easy apk modding (linux)

Most of the guides ive read on XDA say you have to decompile and recompile APKS just to make a couple of modifications to the images. Well I dont believe this to be true. I have tested my method on ubuntu 14.10 and with my nexus 5.
This guide is specifically for modifying images inside of the apks, not the code, or xml itself.
- ADB pull the APK file you want to modify (i chose SystemUI.apk)
- Double click it in File Manager on ubuntu, this should open it up in the archive manager. If not, manually open it up in archive manager
- Click on the "Add Files" button and select which files you want to replace. It will automatically overwrite the current ones.
- Make sure that you are keeping the proper directory structure and are putting the images in the proper place with proper names.
- Copy the new APK file back to your device on /sdcard/file.apk
Then, to get the APK file back on your system without causing problems, I rebooted into TWRP, mounted system and went into the file manager and copy/pasted the APK in the appropriate folder. When you get back into android, chmod 644 new-file.apk. I would not suggest trying to copy the modified APK file into your system while android is running live. Thats why I did it in TWRP. It could cause system unstability, crashing, etc... Im sure that I am not the first person to realize this could be done, but I did discover this on my own because I like to try things. PLEASE, make a backup in case something doesnt work correctly after your mod. Good luck!

bynarie said:
Most of the guides ive read on XDA say you have to decompile and recompile APKS just to make a couple of modifications to the images.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Mine doesn't.

XperienceD said:
Mine doesn't.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Um, not to be rude but the guide on your signature shows using apktool to decompile and recompile. Soo....? Unless its another guide. And Im not saying ALL guides are, but some, and thats ok. Could you link me to your guide please? I would love to take a look at it. Thanks
EDIT - woops im sorry i didnt really read it... i do see where it says drag and drop the images... good deal. sorry

bynarie said:
Um, not to be rude but the guide on your signature shows using apktool to decompile and recompile. Soo....?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Edit: No need for my original reply as you found it.

XperienceD said:
Edit: No need for my original reply as you found it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, and your guide is very good. Thank you for that.